Chelsea forward Willian reveals £50m offer from Barcelona in 2018

Chelsea forward Willian has revealed that Barcelona launched a bid to sign him after the World Cup in Russia last year.

The Catalan side are said to have produced a series of bids to sign the Brazil international last year, with some reports suggesting that £55m had been tabled.

Willian, who moved to Stamford Bridge in 2013, will be able to leave Chelsea for free next summer should he run down his existing contract.

Speaking in an interview with DAZN, Willian said: "The only real official offer I had came from Barcelona, last year, after the World Cup.

"Barcelona indeed presented an offer to Chelsea but it was rejected. That was the only actual time I had to discuss something like this with my family, although we really love it here [London]. So there were several factors that helped us in staying."

It is claimed by the Daily Mail that the offer in question amounted to £50m.

Willian, who also attracted interest from Juventus last year, has played an important role under Frank Lampard this season, making 14 appearances in all competitions.